The Med & Mic™ 03.21.22
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MED NEWS blog post from Dr. Maria ON Speaking, LLC
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Vaccines Effective during Omicron
A study from the CDC shows that three doses of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) worked 94% of the time at preventing death or needing a ventilator during the Omicron wave. Two shots worked 79% of the time. Another CDC study shows that compared to people who have had three shots, unvaccinated people were 12 times more likely to be hospitalized, and those with two shots were three times more likely to be hospitalized. More from The Hill.
Fewer Smokers in First Year of Pandemic
The smoking rate dropped to a new low in 2020: according to a CDC survey, 1 in 8 adults. Possible factors include public health campaigns and policies, more expensive cigarettes, and lifestyle changes. “People who were social smokers didn’t have that going on,” says researcher Megan Roberts in an article from the AP. Also, parents home with kids may have cut back.
Alcohol-related Deaths Up in First Year of Pandemic
Deaths related to alcohol shot up 25.5% between 2019 and 2020. In 2019, there were 79,000 deaths involving alcohol, and in 2020 there were 99,000. The study published in JAMA reviewed death certificates for people 16 and older and identified cases where alcohol was listed as a contributing cause. The largest increase was among 35 to 44 year olds (40%), but the figures were up across all age groups. More from CNN.
FDA Approves Combo for Melanoma
The first drug in a new class of immunotherapies received FDA approval. The drug, called Opdualag, is a LAG-3 inhibitor, which restores function to certain cancer-fighting white blood cells. The new medicine is approved for use in combination with Opdivo, which is an immunotherapy for advanced melanoma. Immunotherapy recruits the body’s defenses to fight cancer. More from Reuters.
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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis, or the advice of your own physician. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
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